YMCA Childcare - Middleton

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff collect children from their classrooms and ensure they arrive at the club safely. As children enter the out-of-school club, they are welcomed by additional caring and friendly staff who are keen to hear about their day. Staff support children to understand the club's routines.

They use a tambourine and a five-minute warning to help children prepare for a change in routine, such as tidy time or snack time. The staff know the children well and set up engaging activities that they know will interest them. For example, children spend a long time making huge constructions out of connecting straws.

They take great delight ...in showing staff, who are equally as enthusiastic. Staff praise children for their achievements, building on their self-esteem. As a result, children are happy and settled.

Staff teach young children about autumn and lead them on an outdoor nature hunt. They sing songs which children join in with and encourage children to walk on the orange, crisp leaves, saying, 'crunch' and 'scrunch'. Children jump on the leaves and discover pinecones, feathers and fruit.

Staff have detailed discussions with them about what they have found, which supports them to understand the world around them.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Staff promote children to be healthy and active. For example, children have opportunities to be physically active outside, where staff lead group games.

Staff model crouching, jumping, stomping and running, and children follow their lead and move in different ways. During mealtimes, children sit and talk together. Staff use this time to sit with children to support their social skills and understanding of healthy food choices.

Children are given a voice at the club. Staff respect the children's views and listen to their wishes. For example, each week, staff hold a meeting with the children to decide on the activities for the following week.

This helps children to make independent choices and have a voice that is heard and appreciated. This supports children's sense of belonging.Children are supported well to be independent.

They are confident to choose their own activities. They wash hands and go to the toilet independently. At teatime, they butter their own rice cakes and collect their own belongings at the end of the session.

This helps to develop their self-care skills effectively.Staff use effective methods to support positive behaviour. They are warm and respectful towards children, who are rewarded with certificates for respect, honesty, responsibility and being caring.

Children understand the club rules and can generally articulate these well during circle time. They explain the need to show respect by listening to others when they are talking. However, during this time, staff do not always ensure all children are listening and following these rules.

Some children chat among themselves, which distracts other children.Parents report that their children love their time at the club. Staff are supportive, friendly and caring.

They talk about how staff care for their children and are excellent at communicating. The club liaise effectively with the school staff to meet any arising needs and support children to be confident individuals. Parents comment on how safe and secure their children are at the club.

The leadership team carry out regular supervision and appraisals to support staff practice. Staff work well as a team and feel supported. They say it is like working in a family.

The leadership team offer staff opportunities for professional development. This helps to improve the experiences they provide for children.Staff provide a safe and secure environment for children to play and learn in.

They are aware of their role in helping to keep children safe. Staff can identify the signs and symptoms that may be indicators that children are at risk. They are aware of the procedures to follow and the outside agencies they should report concerns to if required.

Staff have a broad understanding of safeguarding, including online safety and the risk of radicalisation.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

Also at this postcode